This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary.
Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11.
The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above.
St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

SL

Amazing information offered, more than what I could ask for at NO cost. Well instructed course with a wealth of knowledge to attain.

CM

May 06, 2018

Filled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled StarFilled Star

Great and interesting course for the theologian, philosopher,

From the lesson

Modern Origins Debate

Every course on Science & Religion deals with the fascinating topic of the modern origins debate. The 5 most important views of the origin of the universe and life are presented in detail— Young Earth Creation, Progressive Creation, Evolutionary Creation, Deistic Evolution, and Dysteleological Evolution. The importance of scientific and historical concordism for each position is explained. We also explore the challenging topic of whether or not Adam was a real person in history by presenting the 4 best-known positions on human origins—De Novo Creation of Adam, Evolutionary Monogenism, Punctiliar Polygenism, and Gradual Polygenism. These different approaches to Adam are viewed in the light of the Apostle Paul’s letters in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15 and St. Augustine’s Doctrine of Original Sin.

Taught By

Denis Lamoureux

Associate Professor

Transcript

Hermeneutical Principle number 16. Science in the Bible: Conservative and Liberal Interpretations. At this point in the course, I believe you're ready to ask a couple important questions. What defines conservative or liberal Christianity? Will it be our views of the Science in the Bible? Let's consider astronomy to see if we can draw a lesson from it. The most important theologian in Christianity is St. Augustine. In 415, he wrote, bear in mind that the term firmament does not compel us to imagine a stationary heaven. We may understand this name as given to indicate not that it is motionless, but that it is solid, and that it constitutes an impassable boundary between the waters above and the waters below. In this passage, St. Augustine incorporates Plato's geocentric universe, which we described on page 22 of the handouts, and also the biblical notion that there were waters above the firmament. Similarly, a famous Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther, wrote in 1536, scriptures simply says that the moon, the sun, and the stars were placed in the firmament of the heaven, below and above which are the waters. The bodies of the stars, like that of the sun, are round and they are fastened to the firmament like globes of fire. As we noted on page 13 of the handouts, Luther believed in the geocentric universe. And this passage reveals, he also accepted that there was a body of water above the firmament. Another famous Protestant Reformer was John Calvin. In 1554, he claimed that we indeed are not ignorant, that the circuit of the heavens is finite. And that Earth, like a little globe, is placed in the center of the heavens. The prime mobile, that is the firmament, rolls all the celestial spheres along with it. Calvin's geocentric view of the universe was similar to that of Aristotle with numerous spheres, as we noted on page 22 of the handouts. In this passage, Calvin contends that the motion of the firmament also caused the motion of all the spheres. I'm certain you know exactly where I'm going with this line of argumentation. The conservative view of astronomy for 16th centuries accepted, number one, the firmament, and number two, geocentricity. Therefore, we can ask the question, are all 21st century Christians liberals? I doubt many Christians today would view themselves as liberals because they reject the firmament and geocentricity. Instead, Christianity is defined by whether or not Jesus is God, and whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. It's not based on some scientific idea like the structure and operation of the heavens. Let's turn our attention to Genesis 1-11. The conservative view of biological origins for 20 centuries accepted, number one, the De Novo creation of plants and animals. And number two, the De Novo creation Of Adam and Eve. Here's some questions I'd like you to think about. Does rejecting the De Novo creation of plants and animals make you liberal? Or, does rejecting the De Novo creation of Adam and Eve make you liberal? To be sure, many Christians today would struggle with these questions, especially the one on Adam and Eve. But let me leave you with a few more questions. Are Adam and Eve like the firmament? As we know, the firmament is ancient astronomy. Are Adam and Eve an ancient biology of human origins? What do you think? End of episode.

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